Wenger confirms Nigerian moves; denies senior signings

Arsenal have agreed a combined £3million fee with the Diamond Football Academy in Umuahia, Nigeria, and are expected to complete the deals in the next few days.

They have beaten off competition from Manchester City and Bayern Munich to get the pair who won the Under-17 World Cup in Chile in November.

Captain Nwakali, 17, was the star of the tournament and voted Player of the Tournament, while Chukwueze, 16, scored three goals and three assists.

The pair are both set to sign professional deals when they turn 18 and Wenger believes the deals will be done before Monday’s deadline.

“We will see if we can complete them,” said Wenger.

“Yes. The (talks) are progressing well.

“Yes of course there are work permit issues. There are medical issues, because they have to make medicals. It’s progressing well.

“We identified Nwakali as the player of the tournament, basically, and as a top player. We will see if we can manage to get it over the line during this transfer period. [If we can], we will do it. He (Chukwueze) is signing as well.”

Wenger also confirmed the Gunners were not close to adding any senior players to their squad before the close of the January window.

“Unless people go out, we are not on the verge of bringing anyone in,” added Wenger, who also revealed a decision on Mathieu Debuchy will have to be made with Sunderland and Aston Villa chasing the out-of-favour right-back.

“Debuchy might go somewhere but I don’t know where. A decision has to be made quickly now.”

Meanwhile, after almost 20 years at Arsenal Wenger has assured fans he will see out the remaining 18 months of his contract at The Emirates.